Chapter 41

VEGA

         NATURAL URGES

Introduction

In Ayurveda, the concepts of Vega (natural urges) play a pivotal role in maintaining the balance of the body’s functions. There are two types of urges—Adharaneeya Vega (non-suppressible urges) and Dharaneeya Vega (suppressible urges)—and Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of managing them appropriately for maintaining health.

  • The term ‘Vega’ refers to natural urge or impulse’ produced by the body.
  • It is the body’s natural way of eliminating waste or expressing a physiological need.
  • These urges are essential for maintaining homeostasis and balance within the body.
  • The term ‘Dharana’ literally means “holding” or “withholding”, and in this context, it refers to the act of deliberately holding back natural functions that the body is trying to perform.
  • In Ayurveda, Vega encompasses natural urges such as urination, defecation, hunger, thirst, sleep, yawning, sneezing, and sexual urges. The timely and proper expression of these urges is critical for health.
  • Therefore these natural urges that should not be suppressed by a person are termed as ‘Adharaneeya Vega’ meaning ‘Non-suppressible urges’.
  • Types of Urges (Vega)
  1. Non- suppressible Urges (Adharaneeya Vega)
  2. Suppressible Urges (Dharaneeya Vega)
  • Non – suppressible urges (Adharaneeya Vega)

These 13 urges are considered Adharaneeya and should not be suppressed, as doing so can lead to various diseases and imbalances in the body. They are

  1. Urination (Mutra Vega)
  2. Defecation (Purisha Vega)
  3. Flatus/Gas (Vata Vega)
  4. Sneezing (Kshavathu Vega)
  5. Belching (Udgar Vega)
  6. Yawning (Jrumbha Vega)
  7. Vomiting (Chardi Vega)
  8. Tears (Ashru Vega)
  9. Semen/Ejaculation (Shukra Vega)
  10. Thirst (Trishna Vega)
  11. Hunger (Kshudha Vega)
  12. Sleep (Nidra Vega)
  13. Breathing after exertion (Shrama Vega)

Importance of Not Suppressing Adharaneeya Vega (Non-Suppressible Urges)

Adharaneeya Vega refers to the natural physiological urges that the body generates to expel waste or fulfill specific functions. These urges are considered non-suppressible, meaning that they must be addressed immediately to avoid potential harm to the body.

  1. Maintaining Balance and Preventing Toxin Accumulation
    Suppressing non-suppressible urges like urination, defecation, or the release of gas can disrupt the body’s natural balance. Ayurveda teaches that the body operates as a network of channels (the srotas), and these urges are the body’s way of eliminating waste products. When these urges are suppressed, the waste products accumulate, leading to ama (toxins). The stagnation of waste increases the burden on the digestive and eliminative systems and can manifest as digestive disorders, skin problems, and systemic imbalances.
  2. Preservation of Agni (Digestive Fire)
    In Ayurveda, Agni (digestive fire) plays a crucial role in digestion, metabolism, and the overall transformation of food into nutrients. Suppressing natural urges like bowel movements, urination, or flatulence can lead to a reduction in Agni, as the body is unable to perform its necessary elimination functions. A diminished Agni disrupts the digestion and assimilation of food, resulting in an accumulation of undigested food, which becomes toxins (ama), and can lead to further imbalances in the doshas.
  3. Psychological and Physiological Impacts
    Suppressing non-suppressible urges leads to physical discomfort and psychological stress. When the body is unable to eliminate waste, it causes discomfort, pain, and in extreme cases, may lead to more serious conditions like urinary retention, constipation, or bloating. Ayurveda links the suppression of natural urges to the aggravation of mental states as well, leading to stress, anxiety, and irritability. The suppression of Vega is associated with an increase in Vata dosha, particularly Prana Vayu, which governs the nervous system, leading to mental unrest.
  4. Blockages in the Body’s Channels (Srotas)
    The body’s channels or srotas are designed for the free flow of vital substances and waste products. When urges are suppressed, it leads to blockages in these channels, causing the flow of Prana (life energy) and essential nutrients to be hindered. This blockage can result in a variety of disorders, ranging from digestive issues to emotional imbalances. Over time, this stagnation causes a build-up of ama, which leads to disease manifestation.
  5. Dharaneeya Vega (Suppressible Urges)

These mental and emotional urges should be consciously controlled or suppressed to maintain mental, emotional, and social harmony.

  1. Greed (Lobha)
  2. Grief (Shoka)
  3. Fear (Bhaya)
  4. Anger (Krodha)
  5. Pride or Ego (Māna)
  6. Jealousy (Irshya)
  7. Delusion or Attachment (Moha)
  8. Hatred (Dwesha)
  9. Arrogance (Mada)
  10. Envy or Criticism (Asooya)

Importance of Suppressing Dharaneeya Vega (Suppressible Urges)

Dharaneeya Vega refers to natural urges that can be controlled or suppressed under certain circumstances. These urges, while still physiological, do not necessarily require immediate attention and can be suppressed temporarily without causing immediate harm to the body. However, Ayurveda teaches the importance of managing these urges appropriately and the potential consequences of not doing so.

  1. Control and Moderation
    Suppressing Dharaneeya Vega is often recommended to maintain moderation and self-control, which is crucial for mental and physical discipline. For example, suppressing the urge to eat when one is not hungry or controlling sexual urges at inappropriate times can help maintain a balanced lifestyle. These forms of suppression help regulate the body’s rhythms and prevent indulgence, which might lead to imbalances in Rajas (passion) and Tamas (inertia), two mental qualities that contribute to mental instability.
  2. Preserving Energy and Resources
    Certain natural urges like yawning, sneezing, or sexual urges are considered Dharaneeya because they can be controlled and delayed without immediate harm. Ayurveda explains that these urges are linked to the body’s vital energies. For instance, sexual urges, when left unchecked or uncontrolled, can lead to depletion of ojas (vital essence) and result in physical weakness, reduced mental clarity, and premature aging. By learning to control such urges, an individual preserves their vital energy and maintains vitality and strength over time.
  3. Preventing Harmful Discharges or Excessive Losses
    Some urges, like sexual activity or the desire for excessive sleep, if indulged in excess, can lead to the depletion of bodily resources, such as ojas, tejas (digestive power), and prana (life force). In Ayurveda, it is said that moderation in these urges is key to preserving one’s health and longevity. Suppressing these urges when necessary prevents the overuse or depletion of the body’s vital forces, maintaining mental and physical equilibrium.
  4. Maintaining balance of the dosha
    The doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) influence and govern bodily functions, including natural urges. While non-suppressible urges relate to the elimination of waste, the suppressible urges have a more intricate relationship with the mind and body’s deeper energy systems. Overindulgence in these urges can cause the imbalance of Rajas and Tamas, which are associated with Pitta (heat and transformation) and Vata (movement and dryness), potentially aggravating certain doshas. In moderation, controlling these urges helps balance the doshas and maintains a harmonious state of mind and body.

Summary and Conclusion

In Ayurveda, the balance between managing Adharaneeya Vega and Dharaneeya Vega is essential for the preservation of health. Non-suppressible urges, such as urination, bowel movements, and gas release, must be attended to immediately to prevent the accumulation of waste, the weakening of Agni, and the disruption of the body’s natural balance. Suppressing these urges can lead to physical discomfort, mental stress, toxin buildup, and disease.

On the other hand, suppressible urges, such as those related to attachment, envy, grief, anger etc should be controlled to preserve vital energy, prevent depletion, and maintain mental and physical harmony. By managing these urges through discipline and moderation, an individual can sustain their health, vitality, and longevity in accordance with Ayurvedic principles.

Thus, Ayurveda teaches us that the key to health lies in recognizing and appropriately responding to both types of urges, with mindfulness, moderation, and respect for the body’s natural rhythms.